NCL Selects Finalists for Project Breakaway Ship Naming Contest

Norwegian Cruise Line has selected five finalist names in its “Norwegian’s Cruising for Names” contest held in conjunction with national newspaper USA Today. The contest that sought names for the cruise line’s two new next generation Project BreakawayFreestyle Cruising ships scheduled for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014 received a record-breaking 230,000 entries over the four-week entry period. The finalist names are, in alphabetical order:

• Norwegian Journey, first submitted by Florence Pflaster of Carolina Shores, North Carolina.

“We received an overwhelmingly positive response to our naming contest, showing the passion and enthusiasm cruisers have for our new ships,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “We thank everyone who took the time to reflect on a name for our ships. It was very challenging to select just five finalists.”

The line will announce the two winning names from the five finalists on September 13, 2011. The winners will receive a trip for two to the first ship’s inaugural festivities, including the Christening Ceremony (date and location yet to be determined). The trip includes round-trip coach airfare for two, ground transportation, balcony stateroom accommodations (double occupancy), on-board meals, as well as government taxes and fees.

The contest entry period ran from July 18 to August 14, 2011. According to the official rules, the contestant who was the first in time (according to the date and time stamp on the online submission) to submit a specific name in accordance with the criteria was eligible to be considered as a finalist.

The Project Breakaway ships will each be 144,017 gross tons and will have approximately 4,000 passenger berths. These ships represent an opportunity for the Norwegian guest to “break away” from the routine of work, school, and daily stress, and find a true respite at sea. These new ships will take the best of the best from all of Norwegian’s existing ships drawing on the line’s experience of having launched 10 ships in the past 10 years – starting with Norwegian Star and Sun in 2001 and culminating with the launch of Norwegian Epic in 2010.